HomeNewsTwelve Days of Christmas Care – on the fifth day, advice and guidance from NHS 111

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Twelve Days of Christmas Care – on the fifth day, advice and guidance from NHS 111

As part of NHS Mid Essex CCG’s Twelve Days of Christmas Care campaign, today we’re highlighting how you can access quick health advice and guidance from NHS 111.

NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. NHS 111 Pathways Advisors are supported by experienced nurses and paramedics and will ask questions to assess your symptoms, provide healthcare advice and if you need it, direct you to a local health service that can help you best.

Ricky Lam has been a Pathways Advisor with NHS 111 since the service started in 2011. He explained: “We can help in many ways, from advising people on how to look after themselves with the help of some over the counter medicines through to dispatching an ambulance if the situation is more serious.

“When people call they will be asked a series of questions so that we help provide timely advice or get you to the most appropriate service.”

NHS 111 has already answered 17,461 more calls to the service this year in comparison to last year and expects that to rise further over the Christmas and New Year period. During peak times over the busy festive season, therefore, it may take a little longer than usual to answer your call but NHS 111 will endeavour to answer as quickly as possible.

NHS 111 will be available 24/7 over Christmas and New Year for when you need health help and advice quickly.